How much does a trip to Istanbul cost
A week in Istanbul runs roughly $520–$1798 per person, including the flight from Moscow.
Flights from Moscow
Round-trip now from$232
Cheapest in September — $232
Indicative cached price. Tap the button for live fares.
Accommodation
Hostel / GuesthouseBudget
3-4★ HotelMid
5★ Luxury SuiteComfort
Indicative price — see live rates via the link.
Tours & Activities
Popular tickets, guided tours, and experiences to book online.
Skip-the-line TicketsHagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern
Skip-the-line entrance tickets with audio guide
Boat CruiseBosphorus Sunset Boat Cruise
Scenic boat tour between Europe and Asia (2h)
Guided TourTopkapi Palace and Harem Guided Tour
Guided tour with entry tickets included
Food & Wine TourTaste of Two Continents Food Tour
Ferry to Kadikoy + 8 authentic tastings
Mobile internet (eSIM)
The easiest way to stay online in Istanbul is an eSIM — activated right on your phone, no local SIM needed.
Prices on the ground
For public transit, get an Istanbulkart for seamless contactless payments; ensure you validate it at entry points to avoid fines. Be mindful of day passes, which can provide savings for extensive travel. For taxis, use the BiTaksi app to avoid meter scams, especially at airports where flat fares may apply.
On-the-ground prices updated: 2026-08-29
Total budget range
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $232 | $232 | $232 |
| Food | $127 | $283 | $565 |
| Transit | $18 | $18 | $18 |
| Stay | $140 | $455 | $980 |
| eSIM | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Total per person | $520 | $990 | $1798 |
Drag the days and people — everything recalculates instantly.
What’s next
- Itinerary
- Where else is cheap from Moscow
- Trip budgets for nearby cities
FAQ
- How much money to bring to Istanbul for a week?
- A week in Istanbul costs roughly $520–$1798 per person, including the round-trip flight from Moscow.
- When is it cheaper to fly to Istanbul?
- The cheapest month to fly is September — round-trip from about $232 from Moscow.
- How much is a flight to Istanbul?
- Right now a round-trip Moscow–Istanbul starts around $232. This is an indicative cached price; tap “Find flights” for live fares.
- Is food and transit expensive in Istanbul?
- Food runs $18–$81 a day and city transit about $3. For public transit, get an Istanbulkart for seamless contactless payments; ensure you validate it at entry points to avoid fines. Be mindful of day passes, which can provide savings for extensive travel. For taxis, use the BiTaksi app to avoid meter scams, especially at airports where flat fares may apply.